North Carolina WWII vet to receive honor from French government

NEW BERN, N.C. (WCTI) - Morton Jacobs was a private first class for the first Canadian-American special service forces back in World War II. On Friday, he'll receive a special honor.

"It says in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause, the ceremony to bestow upon you the award of the legion of honor," said Jacobs, who read from a letter from the French consulate. Jacobs will receive the Legion of Honor, the highest honor in France.

"Well, I think it's taken a long time but I don't think the French act that fast," Jacobs said.

Jacobs will receive the honor, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, at a ceremony in Raleigh on Friday. The recognition is France's way of expressing gratitude to those like Jacobs who helped liberate the country from oppression in 1944-45.

"On behalf of all those who served with me and who died and who I think really deserve honors ... you know my participation was like any other good soldier. I think I did my job and that about sums it up," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said he doesn't like to talk about the war. But his story hasn't gone unnoticed. Some other Americans who have received the honor include Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Douglas McArthur and Adm. Mike Mullen.